Post Position: #6
Probable Odds: 5-2
Record: 7 starts: 6 Wins, 0 Second, 0 Third
Lifetime Earnings: $2,409,830
Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Sire: Violence
Dam: Queen Caroline (Blame)
Forte Preview & Analysis
Finally, Forte makes his long-awaited debut in a Triple Crown race this year. Expected to contend at the Kentucky Derby, Forte was a late scratch and then sat out the Preakness. Forte is the favorite to win the Belmont Stakes at 5-2 out of the sixth position. If Forte pulls off the win, it will mark just the 10th time in Belmont Stakes history that a horse out of the sixth position won the race.
For the year, Forte is two for two; two races and two wins. Even more impressively, Forte has won six out of the seven races that it has been entered in for his career. Another of trainer Todd Pletcher’s entries, Forte likely gives the renowned trainer his best chance at a third Belmont Stakes victory.
Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. is one of the most decorated riders in the field despite being just 30 years of age. He will be looking for his third Belmont Stakes win in his 9th race at the event. He leads all jockeys already this year in wins and earnings.
Without question, Forte is deservedly the horse to beat on Saturday and will be in the mix at the final turn.
How Can Forte win the Belmont Stakes?
Keep the same form he showed in his career up to this point. He’s been pretty flawless on the track so far, and likely would have been a well deserved favorite at the Derby had he not suffered a minor ankle injury. Pletcher would not run this horse if he didn’t believe he was 100% coming into it.
The one knock is that it’s been 70 plus days since his last start, a win in the Florida Derby. He has a perfect stalking running style to win the Belmont, and should relish the distance.
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More Belmont Stakes Horse Profiles & Predictions
Tapit Shoes
Tapit Shoes has already gotten off to a good start at the Belmont Stakes by drawing the first position in the race. In the history of the Belmont Stakes, the #1 position has won the most times of any other position, 24 times.
Tapit Trice
In four starts this year, Tapit Trice has three wins. Unfortunately, the Kentucky Derby was the lone time he was out of money. Tapit Trice finished a disappointing 7th at the Derby before sitting out the Preakness.
Arcangelo
This will be Arcangelo’s first start in a Triple Crown race. Trainer Antonucci has just two career-graded stakes wins in her career.
National Treasure
The #4 position at the Belmont Stakes went to Preakness winner National Treasure, trained by legendary trainer Bob Baffert. Horses have won the Belmont Stakes 10 times out of the fourth position.
Il Miracolo
Tied for the second-highest position to win the Belmont, the #5 position went to Il Miracolo in Tuesday’s draw. 15 times a horse has won the Belmont out of the #5 position. Il Miracolo has the longest odds on the board at 30-1.
Hit Show
Hit Show drew the 7th position in Tuesday’s draw, a position that has won the Belmont Stakes 14 times in the race’s history. Hit Show is another of trainer Brad Cox’s entrees and will be ridden by one of the top jockeys this year Manny Franco.
Angel of Empire
Angel of Empire is slotted for the eighth position in Saturday’s Belmont Stakes. Just seven horses have won the Belmont Stakes from the eighth position. Angel of Empire is another entry from trainer Brad Cox and will be ridden by jockey Flavien Prat.
Red Route One
Red Route One will be on the far outside at the Belmont Stakes, drawing the 9th position on Saturday. Only four horses in the history of the Belmont Stakes have won the race from the 9th spot. Red Route One was a late scratch from the Kentucky Derby and took a fourth-place finish at the Preakness.